arm squeeze test

Indications

• test C7 cervical radiculopathy

Clinical significance

• distinguishes cervical radiculopathy from rotator cuff tear, shoulder adhesive capsulitis, acromioclavicular joint arthropathy, calcific tendonitis, & glenohumeral arthritis

Sensitivity 96%

Procedure

• examiner stands behind the patient & squeezes the middle-third of the patient's upper arm with moderate pressure 3 times
• the test is positive if the patient reports >= 3 on a visual analog pain scale vs pain on palpation of acromioclavicular joint & subacromial area (where no pain is generally reported)

* value of 6-8 kg reported, but kg is a unit of mass not pressure

Mechanism of action

• compression of the skin, muscles, & nerves is thought to activate the C7 pain pathway

Additional terms

• Spurling test (foraminal compression test)